Modular data center deployment method and system for data center vessels

ABSTRACT

A modular data center build method and system including prefabricated data center modules comprised of a plurality of racks, a plurality of rack- mounted computer systems, a door, electrical systems, cooling systems, power connections, water connections, video systems, biometric access system and a fire safety system. A steel beam structure may be employed to secure multiple vertical levels of a plurality of data center modules. The described modular data center build method and system with prefabricated data center modules may be employed to quickly deploy a data center in a repeatable sustainable manner, drastically reducing the build deployment time of a data center from design to fully operational.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/591,525,filed on Jan. 7, 2015, which in turn claims reference to U.S.Provisional Patent application No. 61/925,522 filed on Jan. 9, 2014,entitled “A modular data center deployment method and system forwaterborne data center vessels” the contents of which are incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Problem Solved: A data center is a facility designed to house, maintain,and power a plurality of computer systems. A conventional data center isconstructed entirely on. site with installation of all electrical,mechanical and cooling equipment performed onsite after construction ofthe data center facility is completed. Design and deployment of aconventional data center requires extensive time in planning andconstruction. Data center deployment cycles can take two years fromstart to fully operational.

Traditional data center deployment methods require extensive time forplanning and construction. All electrical, mechanical and coolingsystems are fabricated and constructed on. site after the constructionof the data center facility building has been completed. After the datacenter construction has been completed, installing racks to house thecomputer systems is another time consuming effort that may takeadditional weeks to complete.

The described methods and systems include use of prefabricated datacenter modules, which when employed, drastically reduce the builddeployment time of a data center facility from start to fullyoperational.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed include a modular data center, comprising a datacenter module, which further comprises a top wall, a left side wall, aright side wall, and a bottom wall, and a door. The module alsocomprises a plurality of power connections comprised in an electricalsystem power distribution unit, cooling distribution means comprisingcoolant distribution piping embedded in the said top wall, left sidewall, right side wall, and bottom wall. Additionally, housed inside themodule are a plurality of racks comprising means for fastening acorresponding plurality of rack mountable computer systems, a means forhousing a fire suppressant system, a means for housing an internal videosystem, a means for housing an external video system; and a biometricaccess system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a modular system data center module,in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of modular system data center module in anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As stated above, a data center is a facility designed to house,maintain, and power a plurality of computer systems. A present day datacenter is constructed entirely on. site with installation of allelectrical, mechanical and cooling equipment performed onsite afterconstruction of the data center facility is completed. Design anddeployment of a data center requires extensive time in planning andconstruction. Data center deployment cycles can take two years fromstart to fully operational.

Embodiments disclosed in this document include modular data centerdeployment methods and systems, and more particularly, for waterbornedata center vessels. The methods and systems disclosed drasticallyreduce data center facility deployment times, from start to fullyoperational. The methods and systems disclosed may be employed toquickly deploy pre-fabricated data center modules in a repeatable andsustainable manner.

Embodiments disclosed include improved data center deployment methodsand systems. Preferred embodiments include improved methods and systemsfor quick, efficient deployment of data center modules on a waterbornedata center vessel. The method and system may be employed to quicklydeploy a plurality of data center modules in a waterborne data centerfacility dramatically reducing build cycle time from start to a fullyoperational data center.

Fabricating and constructing data center electrical, mechanical andcooling systems on site is time intensive and may be subject to delaysor errors. These construction methods require extensive time in planningand on. site fabrication of interdependent systems.

The described methods and systems including use of prefabricated datacenter modules may be employed to drastically reduce the builddeployment time of a data center facility from start to fullyoperational.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a modular system data center module,in an embodiment. The illustrated embodiment includes data center module100, top wall 102, left side wall 104, right side wall 106, bottom wall108, door 110, electrical systems 112, power connections 114, racks 116,fire suppressant system 118, internal video system 120, external videosystem 122, and biometric access system 124.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of modular system data center module in anembodiment. The illustrated embodiment includes data center module 200,back wall 202, left side wall 204, right side wall 206, front wall 208,door 210, electrical systems 212, cooling systems 214, racks 218, firesuppressant system 220, internal video system 222, biometric accesssystem 224, external video system 226, and power connections 228.

The illustrated embodiment includes data center module 100, which isrectangular in shape. The data center module 100 includes a front wall208, a back wall 202, a top wal1102, a bottom wall 108, a left side wall104, and a right side wall 106. The side walls (104, 106) front wall 208and back wall 202 are perpendicularly connected to the top wall 102 andthe bottom wall 108. A plurality of computer systems (not shown) may behoused in a plurality of racks 116. The data center module 100 mayinclude cooling systems 114 and electrical systems 112 to support thecomputer systems (not shown). Water connections 216 may be connected toan external closedlooped cooling system (not shown) for cold watersupply and hot water return. A fire suppressant system 118, internalvideo system 120, biometric access system 124 and external video system122 may be included for security and safety of the data center module100.

In this embodiment the data center module 100 is used to house aplurality of computer systems in a plurality of racks 118. Electricalsystems 212, cooling systems 214, video security systems (222, 224) andfire suppressant systems 220 may also be included. A plurality ofcomputer systems are housed in a plurality of racks 118. Requisite poweris supplied to the computer systems by the electrical systems 112.

The cooling system 114 connected to a closedloop cooling system (notshown) through the water connections 116 maintains interior ambientconditions suitable for proper operation of computer systems. The entirecomputing module may be secured with internal video system 122, externalvideo system 126 and biometric access system 124 that controls access tothe data center module100.

The electrical, cooling and computer systems of the data center modulemay be protected from fire by the fire suppressant system 120. A steelbeam structure (not pictured) may be employed to secure a plurality ofdata center modules in rows that may be stacked in a vertical manner.

Preferred embodiments include a data center module in the shape of ashipping container with eight walls that are insulated and built tosupport a plurality of computer systems, racks, electrical systems,cooling systems, fire suppressant systems and security systems.Pre-designed and installable electrical and cooling systems are anintegrated part of the entire data center module, designed to worktogether to support a plurality of computer systems. Pre-designed andinstallable video systems and biometric access system for controllingaccess and securing computer systems are integrated within the modularframework. Pre-designed and installable fire suppressant systems for thedata center module are also integrated within the modular framework.

Preferred embodiments include all of the above mentioned elements.

In an additional embodiment, cable management ladders may be used tomanage network or power cabling. Flexible cable manager ladders may beused for each individual rack such that the rack may slide forward foreasier access to the back of the computer systems with the flexibleladders maintaining management of all cabling.

The racks may include wheels that are recessed in a track system thatenable the rack to be slid forward. This track system may also includequick lock mechanisms to secure the rack in place either in the normalposition or in a maintenance position when accessing the rear of thecomputer systems.

The data center module may also include a plurality of wireless sensorsused to collect data for a data center infrastructure management suite.The data collected may be used to automate control of the systemsinstalled in the data center data center module.

The data center module may be configured in accordance to InternationalOrganization of Standardization (ISO) container manufacturing standards.

A plurality of data center modules may be installed on a steel beamstructure designed and constructed to accommodate multiple levels ofdata center modules. The steel beam structure may include a stair caseat either end for access to the second level or above.

The internals of the data center module may be arranged in any number ofvariations to accommodate various electrical, cooling, rack, video orsecurity systems.

The data center module door or doors may be installed in one or both ofthe side walls. The water connections may be installed in the back,front, left side or right side walls. The video cameras may be installedin any number of internal or external locations.

The power connections may be installed in the back, front, left side orright side walls.

The electrical systems may be configured for AC or DC powerdistribution. The electrical systems may be designed for any number ofprimary voltage schemes.

Preferably, the data center data center module 100 is securely installedon the waterborne data center vessel (not shown). Power would beconnected to the data center data center module 100 electrical systems112 through the power connections 114. A closedloop cooling system (notshown) would be connected to the data center module cooling system 214through the water connections 216. The video systems (120, 122) would beconnected to a master security system (not shown). The biometric accesssystem would be connected to a remote security access system (not shown)to control access to the data center data center module internalsystems.

Additionally: Potentially, this invention could be deployed in landbased data centers, office buildings, hospitals, multitenant dwellings,stadiums, universities or lab buildings.

Additionally, partial or complete embodiments of the disclosed inventioncan be utilized in alternate applications without departing from thescope and spirit of the disclosure. For example, water based closed loopcooling systems that leverage natural resources within close proximitycan be utilized to cool virtually anything, including but not limited tobuildings or dwellings, in energy efficient and cost effective manner.

Since various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and since various changes might be made in the embodiments above setforth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shownin the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative andnot to be considered in a limiting sense. Thus it will be understood bythose skilled in the art of water borne vessels, and computer datacenters and that although the preferred and alternate embodiments havebeen shown and described in accordance with the Patent Statutes, theinvention is not limited thereto or thereby.

The figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation ofpossible implementations of systems, methods and computer programproducts according to various embodiments of the present invention. Itshould also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted/illustrated may occur out of the order noted in thefigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Some portions of embodiments disclosed are implemented as a programproduct for use with an embedded processor. The program(s) of theprogram product defines functions of the embodiments (including themethods described herein) and can be contained on a variety ofsignal-bearing media. Illustrative signal-bearing media include, but arenot limited to: (i) information permanently stored on non-writablestorage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such asCD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive); (ii) alterable informationstored on writable storage media (e.g., floppy disks within a diskettedrive or hard-disk drive, solid state disk drive, etc.); and (iii)information conveyed to a computer by a communications medium, such asthrough a computer or telephone network, including wirelesscommunications. The latter embodiment specifically includes informationdownloaded from the Internet and other networks. Such signal-bearingmedia, when carrying computer- readable instructions that direct thefunctions of the present invention, represent embodiments of the presentinvention.

In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of theinvention, may be part of an operating system or a specific application,component, program, module, object, or sequence of instructions. Thecomputer program of the present invention typically is comprised of amultitude of instructions that will be translated by the native computerinto a machine-accessible format and hence executable instructions.Also, programs are comprised of variables and data structures thateither reside locally to the program or are found in memory or onstorage devices. In addition, various programs described hereinafter maybe identified based upon the application for which they are implementedin a specific embodiment of the invention. However, it should beappreciated that any particular program nomenclature that follows isused merely for convenience, and thus the invention should not belimited to use solely in any specific application identified and/orimplied by such nomenclature.

The present invention and some of its advantages have been described indetail for some embodiments. It should be understood that although thesystem and process is described with reference to a modular data centerdeployment method and system for waterborne data center vessels, thesystem and process may be used in other contexts as well. It should alsobe understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can bemade herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims. An embodiment of the invention mayachieve multiple objectives, but not every embodiment falling within thescope of the attached claims will achieve every objective. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Aperson having ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure of the present invention that processes, machines,manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presentlyexisting or later to be developed are equivalent to, and fall within thescope of, what is claimed. Accordingly, the appended claims are intendedto include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular data center, comprising: a data centermodule, which further comprises: a top wall, a front wall, a back wall,a left side wall, a right side wall, and a bottom wall; a door; aplurality of power connections comprised in an electrical system powerdistribution unit; cooling distribution means comprising coolantdistribution piping embedded in the top wall, left side wall, right sidewall, and bottom wall; a plurality of racks comprising: means forfastening a corresponding plurality of rack mountable computer systems;and a means for enabling each individual rack of the plurality of racksto be slid forward, backward or sideways; a fire suppressant systemhousing; an internal video system housing; an external video systemhousing; and a biometric access system.
 2. The modular data center ofclaim 1 wherein the left side wall, the right side wall, front wall, andback wall are perpendicularly connected to the top wall and the bottomwall.
 3. The modular data center of claim 1 wherein the coolingdistribution means further comprises a plurality of water connections,compatible with an external closed looped cooling system for cold watersupply and hot water return.
 4. The modular data center of claim 1wherein each rack of the plurality of racks is comprised in a beamstructure configured to allow a plurality of data center modules to besecured in vertically stacked rows.
 5. The modular data center of claim1 wherein: the plurality of racks comprising means for enabling eachindividual rack of the plurality of racks to be slid forward, backwardor sideways further comprise a plurality of wheels that are recessed ina track system which enables the racks to be slid; and wherein the tracksystem further comprises a quick lock mechanism to secure each rack inplace.
 6. The modular data center of claim 1 further comprising aplurality of flexible cable management ladders configured to managenetwork or power cabling such that each cable management ladder of theplurality of flexible cable management ladders is configured to alloweach individual rack to slide forward to provide an access a backportion of the computer systems.
 7. The modular data center of claim 1further comprising a plurality of wireless sensors configured to collectdata for a data center infrastructure management suite.
 8. The modulardata center of claim 7 wherein the data center infrastructure managementsuite is configured to control the electrical system power distributionunit, the cooling distribution means, the fire suppressant system, theinternal video system, and the external video system installed in thedata center data center module.